Labor is wrong to support casino at Suffolk

While organized labor has generally been quite supportive of Gov. Patrick's plan to bring a casino to Suffolk Downs, members of a newly-formed union at the racetrack say that owner Richard Fields has not been very union-friendly.

The Herald reports that security guards have been treated poorly at Suffolk Downs, and some of those who fought to form Local 546 had their hours cut back or were laid off altogether. Last year there was a story in the Patriot Ledger about the lack of health care for jockeys at the East Boston oval. Most earn a few hundred bucks a week with no benefits and rely on the volunteer efforts of a doctor who visits the track.

Some want to reward millionaire Richard Fields for the way he treats his employees by allowing him to open a casino in this neighborhood so he can fill his bank account with more bags of money. Does anyone really believe that he will create good jobs for the average Joe in Eastie?